March 28th
Richardson Beach-Wineglass Bay
Mileage: 27.5km/17mi
Campsite Elevation: 36ft/11m
It was a great night of sleep along Coles Bay. We had just a few minutes of driving to the trailhead for our next overnight loop, the Freycinet Circuit, a 32km/19.8mi loop on the east coast peninsula of Tasmania that is Freycinet National Park. It is known for its calmer and more tropical feel with white sand beaches and clear green waves lapping up. We took the circuit counterclockwise and started just after 8am. The first half of the day was relaxed walking on rock at first, then through arid forest to Cooks Beach.
Our route is counterclockwise on the white and then yellow track.
We walked along Hazards Beach for awhile. Very relaxing.
Hazards Beach
It was a short side trip to the lunch shelter at Cooks Beach, but we did it because we weren’t sure of the water sources the rest of the day, and knew we could get water at the tank there. There were two volunteers at the shelter packing up to head out that were nice retired men. They assured us that the water source at our intended campsite tonight wasn’t dry, and that was a relief. We headed over to the beach and ate lunch. About 30mins later, we watched as the two men had wheelbarrows and were walking along the beach in front of us to load up their nearby sailboat. We did a double take when we realized one of them was now completed naked except for a hat. It was so unexpected and random and not the lunchtime view we were expecting. We theorized on how common this was at this beach and if it was common in Tasmania in general that he was walking freely naked in a popular national park.
Cooks Beach
Yep, naked dude on a sailboat.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all.
Mt Freycinet
Hazards Beach (left), Wineglass Bay (right).
The view of the other side of the peninsula.
Back on the track, we also went over Mt Graham, which also had a view looking towards Wineglass Bay, but the side trip to Mt Freycinet was worth it for the full view much higher.
We see these all over in all sizes in all of Tassie.
Wineglass Bay from Mt Graham.
Neither of us are much for beach lounging, but we gave it a try since we were there so early and it was such a nice place. We walked barefoot on the beach and in the water some. The water was so clear and not too cold. It had a very tropical feel with the clear green ocean water, and the mountains across the bay had a tropical jungle look that was difficult to capture in a photo. Griggs actually took a nap for a bit!
So clear!
We did our best to be beach people and ate dinner on the dune where we could watch the sunset. When I went to the campsite to get my food bag for dinner, I found a guilty looking wallaby trying to go through Griggs’s food bag he had left out. Luckily, I got there before he bounced off with it. He was very habituated to people and didn’t bounce off when I approached. I think he was waiting for me to feed him. He was quite cute.
I was excited to be done early and watch a show, but I fell asleep early around 8:30pm before even finishing my writing. It must be the ocean air and the sound of the waves, but I didn’t fight it. Now it’s 1:30am, and I’m wide awake as I thought might happen, so I finished up my writing and am watching some of Downton Abbey before going back to sleep. This was a very relaxing loop to do. We have a short 5km/3mi out in the morning tomorrow, and then we will head to our final coastal destination for an overnight on Maria Island.
Best blog yet Erin! It’s so important to document every species you find in the wilderness!! so funny: two naked men in one day. And you thought you were ultralight 🙂 The rest of the scenery was beautiful too. i couldn’t stop laughing though
“Mad!” respect for you. ha
How unlikely to see two different men enjoying a cloths-less afternoon. I’m glad I wasn’t there!
That water is so beautiful. I see why you made the video. Just stunning. Congrats to Griggs nap! and your “not fighting” it when you fell asleep; life’s little pleasures.
I must say that you are certainly having an eventful time in Tasmania. You will probably not run in to many men in that state of undress for the rest of your adventures so glad you were able to record it for your records. The other pictures were beautiful and sounds like your last few days are close to the best!!
Lol aren’t you a lucky hiker today! Haha.
What a life!
What a day!!
I love the guilty Wallaby .. So cute.
I have a problem with this post… I have binge read your blog after stumbling across it a month or so ago and now I’ve just caught up today and do not have any more posts to read! This is almost as bad as a season finale cliff-hanger and you have to wait all summer to find out what happens next! I guess I will just have to wait like everyone else for your updates to come to my email inbox. :(
Thank you for blogging about your adventures and allowing the rest of us to live vicariously through you!
And, the naked men from this post are hilarious! I think the funniest part is the guy that posed for your picture. Definitely puts a new spin on Hike Your Own Hike. Way to go Naked Dude!
What you have missed!!! The freedom of walking and swimming in the nude, the feeling of sun, wind and water, unfettered by the trappings of “civilisation” !!!
And sand fleas, gnats, leeches, sunburn… etc. ????? ?
Haha! Agreed:) Rarely would I even be warm enough to be in short sleeves and shorts.
Erin:
This blog reminded me of the “streaking” fad in 1974. You may have been born yet but it was very popular during my senior year on your future campus at Champaign-Urbana. Here’s a link for your viewing pleasure if you get tired of Downton Abbey: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2014-01-26/whatever-happened-streaking-university-illinois.html
Oskee-WOW-WOW!
Naked Dude looks like he could use some sunscreen…did you offer him any?
Oh Snap! Too bad Griggs didn’t warn you! The trail just keeps on giving…Reminds me of the time I stumbled upon two naked European guys swimming in Lake Tenaya, Yosemite, they didn’t care either. At least this guy had a big bag LoL ? Love the picture.
Griggs said the guy didn’t cover up for him. I told him next time a naked dude walks by, I’d prefer if he’d wait for me so I don’t have to be alone around it.
Ha ha ha!! That would’ve been an even better picture though, Griggs with the naked guy!
OMG, that would.. just imagine that impish look on Griggs’ face.
He could also have followed the guy and got a video of YOUR face, when you saw Naked Guy, Erin.. so it could be worse for you.
Oh and Amazing Race was pretty great tonight.. first episode of the season.
Griggs might have thought to warn Naked Guy. .. At least he covered up and even posed for a picture.. Thankfully, Griggs seems to have fewer flaws than most.
Yeah, somehow he just didn’t think to even say anything to him and was all focused on the fun of the climb. Naked dude was a little late in covering, and seemed more shocked than me. I think he too would have thought Griggs would have mentioned it and somehow it just didn’t occur to him.
I’m laughing so hard at the fact that you got a photo of the naked guy.. what an eventful hike!
Also, the guilty wallaby is adorable and that beach is GORGEOUS!
Ha, you had an interesting day, Erin..
Beats me why folks get so aereated about bodies.. it’s not like we don’t all have one, after all. For a really sad take on this see: this article
A Spotted skink (Carinascincus ocellatus) and 2 one-eyed trouser snakes in one day – impressive.
Haha! I had to look that one up! Good one!